How Can Healthcare Organizations Secure Patient Information in Digital and Print Workflows?

Healthcare providers are required to protect patient information under HIPAA regulations. While most focus on digital cybersecurity, printed documents also create compliance risks. To stay secure, hospitals and clinics should use tools like pull-print authentication, encryption, and audit logs to safeguard both digital and print workflows. 

Why is Print Security Important in Healthcare?

Print remains a heavily used medium in healthcare for discharge summaries, lab results, and prescriptions. If left unprotected, these documents can expose sensitive patient data. Many HIPAA violations occur when printed files are left in trays, accessed by unauthorized staff, or transmitted without encryption. 

What Are the Best Practices for Securing Print Workflows?

To secure patient data across digital and print workflows, healthcare organizations should:  

• Use pull-print authentication so staff release jobs only after entering a PIN or scanning a badge.
• Encrypt data in transit and at rest to ensure files remain secure as they move between systems and devices.
• Enable audit trails to track who printed, copied, or scanned each document.
• Set role-based permissions to restrict access to sensitive records.

How Does Print Security Support HIPAA Compliance?

By securing print workflows, healthcare organizations lower the risk of data breaches, strengthen HIPAA compliance, and avoid costly penalties. It also fosters patient trust by demonstrating a commitment to protecting personal health information. 

What Should Healthcare Leaders Do Next?

The best next step is to review your current print environment for compliance gaps. Contact SumnerOne today to schedule a HIPAA compliance print workflow review.